University students worried about UTAG strike as lectures begin next week

Students of the University of Ghana are worried about the ongoing strike by members of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) as academic work begins next week.

Although students at the university on Monday August 12 began registration for the new academic year, they are not likely to see teachers in their lecture halls.

The students are pleading with the striking lecturers to rescind their industrial action since they would be the ones the suffer the consequences of delays in academic work.

UTAG members on August 1 embarked on a nationwide strike over unpaid book and research allowance.

Some of the students who spoke to Joy News’ Hannah Odame expressed concerns about the impact the strike would have on teaching if the situation remains same by next week.

“We are in a fix…we don’t know what to do”, a frustrated student lamented.

However UTAG President, Dr Anthony Simmons, says members are not ready to call of the strike.

“We will also ask them [students] to understand us. We believe that within the week we should hear from government…and if we hear anything…positive we will immediately call of the strike”, said Dr Simmons.

He said although they have started negotiations with government, it has been merely “verbal” – insisting UTAG’s past experience has been that without signed documents such negotiations come to naught.